Demographic parameters of Tetranychus turkestani (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) on different cultivars of greenhouse cucumber

Abstract

ABSTRACT Demographic parameters of Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov & Nikolskii, which is a serious pest of cucumber crop worldwide, were evaluated on nine cultivars of greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus) (Royal, Negin, Radvin, Vihan, Arya, Sina, Piro, Karim, and Kurazh). The study was carried out under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h. The results of this study showed that the longest development time of T. turkestani was observed on the Piro cultivar (10.86 ± 0.46 days) and the shortest on the Radvin cultivar (8.57 ± 0.35 days). The female longevity on different cultivars varied from 18.57 ± 0.31 to 20.19 ± 0.35 days. Our results indicated differences in the population growth rate of T. turkestani on different cucumber cultivars. The net reproductive rate (R 0) varied from 22.32 ± 3.99 to 52.90 ± 6.12 eggs per individual, which was minimum on Piro and maximum on Radvin. The comparison of biological parameters of T. turkestani on different cucumber cultivars demonstrated that Radvin was the most susceptible and Piro was the most resistant cultivar to this pest. The findings of this research can be used to develop integrated management of T. turkestani by considering its performance on different cucumber cultivars.